Tarter: Where's our pioneer spirit?

Area restaurants have been experiencing their own snow days this winter.

Snow business is no business, reported eateries in a Journal Star story last week.

Now it shouldn't come as a surprise that extreme cold and falling snow will keep people indoors but several proprietors suggested that the media, in its zeal to inform, may be overstepping just a little bit.

"You get the weathermen on TV — I know they're trying to protect people, but how many times have you heard, 'Don't leave your house if you don't have to,' and the next day nothing hits. It's so frustrating," said Dave Remington, owner of Richard's on Main, 311 Main St.

Now we're not faulting conscientious weather-watchers who can often pinpoint cold fronts with chilling accuracy but as a society we seem to be a mite skittish when it comes to facing the elements.

This isn't anything new. I remember Frank Larkin, as a theater manager in the Peoria area back in the 1970s, lamenting over the public's reaction to a rainstorm.

"They used to just carry an umbrella. Now they stay home," said Larkin, pointing to the persuasive power of weather alerts on television as one of the reasons people didn't go to a movie that night.

Now in the 21st century, with Weather Channel and all the rest, weather stories hit us like a ton of bricks.

Let's be fair, this has been a tough winter. Below zero temperatures are no joke — especially if you're standing outside waiting for a bus.

But a nasty winter also has an upside. Kids can go sledding. We've missed that in recent years. How about cross-country skiing? Now's your chance.

On the bright side, it's been the opportunity to use that snow blower that gathers dust 11 months out of the year. Isn't it rewarding to take that machine down the street a bit, sending that white stuff flying?

Remember that a heavy snow cover is also good for agriculture. It was just two years ago when farmers were worried because the Illinois winter was too warm.

Farmers feel more comfortable when there is snow on the ground because of the soil moisture provided to help crops through a hot dry summer (isn't that a nice thought right now?).

It could be worse. We could be facing the drought conditions that persist in much of the western part of this country. In Sacramento, Calif., a record-setting winter dry spell finally ended after 52 days (Dec. 8 – Jan. 28).

Back to stirring the central Illinois populace: where's our pioneer spirit? Yes, it's cold and care needs to be taken on slippery walkways. You don't want to overexert.

But you do want to show this weather who's boss. Don't retreat under a blanket; get out there and march through a blanket of snow.

You may or may not be glad you did but take heart that it's February and the end is in sight.

If you do make it out to your favorite restaurant, think how good you'll feel, knowing that you persevered — and you'll probably have your choice of tables, too.

Steve Tarter is Journal Star business editor. Tarter's phone number is 686-3260, and his email address is starter@pjstar.com. Follow his blog, Minding Business, on pjstar.com and follow him on Twitter @SteveTarter